PROVO -- The Mountain West Conference today announced Curtis Brown and Justin Luettgerodt have been named the league's offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively. Luettgerodt helped lead BYU to a 35-21 victory over Wyoming with three fumble recoveries and an interception, while Brown racked up 153 yards rushing and had two touchdowns. It is the second time this season Brown has been named the league's offensive player of the week, and it is the first-ever citation for Luettgerodt.
The combined honor marks only the third time in the history of the Mountain West Conference two BYU players have earned offensive and defensive player-of-the-week honors in the same week. (Kevin Feterik and Jared Lee--Nov. 1, 1999 vs. Air Force; Brandon Doman and Ryan Denney--Sept. 10, 2001 at California) It is also the first defensive player-of-the-week honor given to the BYU defense since Brady Poppinga was named the defensive player-of-the-week after last season's season-opening victory over Notre Dame.
Running Back
6-0, 210, Jr.
Palmdale, CA (Paraclete HS)
Brown ran for a game-high 153 yards on 25 carries and had two first-half touchdowns, leading BYU to a critical 35-21 win over Wyoming on Saturday. It was the fourth time in the past five games Brown has scored two or more touchdowns in a single game. Brown, a native of Palmdale, Calif., also had two receptions for 24 yards. With his performance, Brown tied a BYU record with his 10th 100-yard performance. Brown is only the second BYU running back to accomplish the feat during his junior season.
After Wyoming had taken an early 7-0 lead, Brown broke lose for his first six-yard touchdown run with 8:50 left in the opening quarter to tie the score at 7-7. Tied at 14-14 after the first quarter, the Cougars posted a season-high 17-play drive that ended with another 6-yard touchdown run from Brown. During the drive, Brown had seven carries for 35 yards and picked up three key first downs. His second-quarter, go-ahead touchdown gave BYU a 21-14 advantage with 7:50 left in the second quarter.
Brown has gained 958 yards this season, averaging over 94 yards per game. Brown needs just 58 yards rushing to hit the 1,000-yard mark. He would become the first BYU running back to run for 1,000 yards in a season since Luke Staley in 2001. It would also mark only the eighth time in BYU history the Cougars have had a running back with 1,000 yards rushing in a season. Brown would join the likes of Luke Staley, Ronney Jenkins, Brian McKenzie, Jamal Willis (twice), Pete VanValkenburg and Eldon Fortie as the only other running backs to break the 1,000-yard mark.
Linebacker
6-4, 240, Sr.
Gladstone, OR (Foothill JC)
Luettgerodt was credited with a total of four turnovers, including three fumble recoveries and a late, game-clinching interception to lead BYU to a crucial 35-21 victory over Wyoming. The Gladston, Ore., native had one turnover in each quarter during Saturday's game. The BYU offense took advantage of Leuttgerodt's efforts, converting his three fumble recoveries into a game-deciding 21 points. While his first two fumble recoveries were made in Wyoming territory, creating a short field for the BYU offense, it was his third fumble recovery with 1:59 left in the third quarter that proved to be the most critical. With Wyoming driving all the way to the BYU 9-yard line, threatening to tie the score at 28-28, Luettgerodt recovered a Wyoming fumble at the Cougars' own 6-yard line. Again the offense took advantage of the fumble recover and drove 94 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.
Again in the fourth quarter, Luettgerodt came up with a critical play. With the Cowboys looking to make a late run, Luettgerodt intercepted Corey Bramlet at the BYU 33-yard line, ending UW's 47-yard drive and sealed the BYU victory.
Against the Cowboys, Luettgerodt was credited with seven tackles, including a team-high four solo takedowns. He was also credited with a tackle for an 11-yard loss that would--two plays later--lead to another Wyoming turnover.
On the season, Leuttgerodt leads the Cougars with 9.0 tackles for a combined loss of 47 yards, including 4.5 sacks. He also leads the BYU roster with three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.